IBM Blockchain World Wire

Redefining access to money for people and businesses everywhere

The concept of money is 2,000 years old. The world has been using the same network to process financial transactions for 50 years. And even though globalization has changed the world, payment fees and other financial barriers remain the same. But now there’s a new way to move money.

Introducing IBM Blockchain World Wire, the new financial rail that simultaneously clears and settles cross-border payments in near real-time. Integrating with your existing payment systems, you’ll replace costly opacity with affordable transparency – and that can bring greater financial opportunity to all.

How IBM Blockchain World Wire works

Using blockchain technology and the Stellar protocol, IBM Blockchain World Wire makes it possible for financial institutions to clear and settle cross-border payments in seconds.

Two financial institutions transacting together agree to use a stable coin, central bank digital currency or other digital asset as the bridge asset between any two fiat currencies. The digital asset facilitates the trade and supplies important settlement instructions.*

The institutions use their existing payment systems – seamlessly connected to World Wire’s APIs – to convert the first fiat currency into the digital asset.

World Wire then simultaneously converts the digital asset into the second fiat currency, completing the transaction. All transaction details are recorded onto an immutable blockchain for clearing.

And much more

Central banks and digital currencies: what comes next?

Bitcoin mania has led some to believe that banks are no longer needed for secure global money transfer. Banks, however, disagree. Learn how they’re examining the viability of digital fiat currencies as complements to physical cash in this report from IBM and the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum. Working together, we’ve surveyed the latest attitudes and actions of 21 different central banks as they study the adoption of Central Bank Digital Currencies.

Understanding your business

Creating a solution that works for you

We work with you to ensure that IBM Blockchain World Wire is compatible with your existing payment systems, making it as seamless to adopt as possible.

Launching new, dynamic business networks

Backed by the right experts, access and our collaborative approach, we’re building and running scalable, industry-shaping blockchain networks.

Solving your global challenges

Our cross-sector relationships and technical expertise are creating systemic change, helping you reach new customers and enter new markets.

IBM leadership in the financial industry

The world’s most important data is entrusted to IBM. We’ve built and deployed more than 400 blockchain solutions already changing the way business is done. And IBM runs over 60% of the world’s transactional systems.

97%

of the world’s largest banks are IBM clients

90%

of global credit card transactions are processed on IBM mainframes

What will we solve together?

Discover how IBM Blockchain World Wire can help you revolutionize the way you clear, settle and manage cross-border payments.